Drilling Lug Holes (merc wheels)

Post by **tigan** » 26 Jun 2008, 19:17

hi,

Ive just aquired some 16" merc wheels, but the lug holes need drilling to 14mm (at 12mm atm).

Is this a simple job that one can do with a bench drill, or is it worth getting someone to do them "properly"

Also, do the bolt "kits" available online, fit alloys with the small ball radius fitting, ie like merc originals as i belive the t25 ones are the larger radius?

Tigan

Post by **ringo** » 26 Jun 2008, 20:01

Im no expert so please don't take this as gospel (is that ok laurie

):

I have heard of people drilling out the holes to 14mm with a hand drill (using oil as a lubricant/coolant) and not having any problems - you would imagine that with a predrilled hole it will be pretty hard work to "cock" it up.

I'd be phoning someone up about the the bolts - brickwerks do them. But you do need different bolts.

Have you new wheels got big enough center holes to go over the front wheels?

Having said all that, im going to take mine to a proffessional - its a very simple job that will take minutes with the right tools. I havent got them unfortunately - but one day

Ringo

Post by **tigan** » 26 Jun 2008, 20:08

The centres are ok i think.

ET is 37 so i guess 5-6mm spacers on front (maybe rear too) just to make sure.

Does anyone know somewhere in the Doncaster/Yorkshire region who could do the job at a fair price?

In no rush at the mo as im in the process of rustoleuming the van and dont want great spodges of blue on the alloys

Tigan

Post by **ringo** » 26 Jun 2008, 20:28

I would have thought ET37 would be fine - isnt the range 30-39?

Ringo

Post by **Poseidon** » 29 Jun 2008, 18:36

I drilled mine out myself. I simply used a reasonable mains powered drill. you just need to make sure your drilling straight down... any slight angle and it messes the pcd up!